Laura Elseth, LPN
Board President, Licensed Practical Nurse Board Member
Laura Elseth, of Eden Prairie, is a licensed practical nurse who works in quality data and analytics. Her previous nursing experience includes dermatology, family medicine, walk-in clinic, and case management. Mrs. Elseth has an Associate of Applied Science in Practical Nursing as well as an Associate of Arts Degree from Minnesota State Community and Technical College in Detroit Lakes, Minnesota. She was reappointed by Governor Tim Walz on July 5, 2022, as a licensed practical nurse board member, and her term will expire in 2026.
Lynette How, MSN, RN, PHN
Board Vice President, Registered Nurse Board Member
Lynette How, of Cohasset, is a faculty member and Program Director at a rural community college in northern Minnesota. Prior to her decade of nursing education of practical nursing students, she worked as an RN Chronic Care Coordinator as well as in a variety of acute care and administrative roles. Her educational background includes a post-graduate certificate in Nursing Administration and Organizational Systems Leadership from Minnesota State University Moorhead, a Master of Science in Nursing Education from Walden University, a Bachelor of Arts in Nursing from the College of St. Scholastica, and an Associates of Science in Nursing from Hibbing Community College. She also earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Graphic Design from Bemidji State University. Ms. How was reappointed by Governor Walz in 2022 and her term will expire in 2026.
Jessica Miehe, DNP, MSN, RN, PHN
Board Secretary, Registered Nurse Board Member
Jessica Miehe is an Associate Professor of Nursing and Director for a Baccalaureate Nursing Program. Her nursing background includes work in critical care, nursing consultation, quality and process improvement, grant writing, and clinical education innovation and development. Jessica founded Rise Up Health Clinics, a non-profit health care organization providing accessible, affordable care to children. In collaboration with community organizations and health care advocates, Jessica enjoys pursuing public policy and legislation to improve health equity and disparities. Jessica was appointed by Governor Walz on March 8, 2023. Her term will expire January 6, 2025.
Sandra Anderson, RN
Registered Nurse Board Member
Sandra (Sandie) Anderson, of Wyoming, is a registered nurse practicing at a Twin Cities hospital. Her nursing background includes working as a registered nurse for 44 years at hospitals in med/surg, intensive care, emergency medicine, labor and delivery, postpartum and home infusion. She is an active member of the Minnesota Nurses Association. Sandie earned an associate degree from St. Mary's Junior College. She was appointed by Governor Walz on January 17, 2024. Her term will expire January 3, 2028.
Katlynn Berntson, LPN
Licensed Practical Nurse Board Member
Katlynn Berntson (Katie) is a licensed practical nurse currently working in a rural health clinic with a family medicine provider. She also has nursing experience in a critical access hospital and long term care facilities. Katie received her Practical Nursing Diploma from Minnesota State Community and Technical College in Detroit Lakes, MN through a satellite program that was based in Twin Valley, MN. Katie is also vaccine manager for the Minnesota Vaccines for Children program for her clinic. She was reappointed by Governor Tim Walz on November 22, 2022, as a licensed practical nurse board member, and her term will expire January 4, 2027.
Jacqueline Lloyd Cunningham, MBA, MPH
Public Board Member
Jacqueline Lloyd Cunningham, of Minneapolis, is a marketing communications leader with a nonprofit organization in Minneapolis where she defines the organization wide marketing communications and public relations strategy to support revenue goals and general public engagement to advance the organization's mission. She has over 20 years of experience as a strategic marketing leader in profit and nonprofit organizations and has a passion for understanding what drives behavior and using that insight to help people live healthier and better lives. Jacqui has a Bachelor of Science Degree in Marketing from Marymount College, Tarrytown, NY, an MBA degree from Fordham University Graduate School of Business in New York; and is pursuing a Master in Public Health at St. Catherine University in St. Paul. She was appointed by Governor Tim Walz in 2022 and her term will expire in 2025.
Summer Hagy, BSW
Public Board Member
Summer Hagy, of Sartell, is a State Advisor and Executive Director of Minnesota HOSA - Future Health Professionals, a part of the Healthforce Center of Excellence. Summer's background includes career counseling, higher education, sales and marketing, and donor development. Summer was appointed as a public member by Governor Tim Walz on March 8, 2023. Her term will expire January 5, 2026.
Shaunequa James, MSW, LICSW
Public Board Member
Shaunequa James is a licensed social worker who lives and works in the Minneapolis area. She received her Bachelor of Social Work from St. Catherine University and Master of Social Work from the University of Minnesota. Shaunequa has a background in mental health, having worked as a mental health therapist in outpatient and inpatient settings. Shaunequa serves as the program director for Gilda's Club Twin Cities in Minnetonka and is the founder of Black Girls Grieving. She currently works at a children's and adolescent inpatient hospital in Brooklyn Park. Shaunequa was appointed as a public member by Governor Walz on April 5, 2023. Her term will expire on January 4, 2027.
Rhonda Johnson, LPN
Licensed Practical Nurse Board Member
Rhonda Johnson of Tyler, works as a family practice clinic nurse. Her experience includes hospital acute inpatient care, surgery, emergency room, home-care, hospice, obstetrics, pediatrics, and geriatric nursing care. She has previous public service as a school board member. Ms. Johnson earned her Practical Nursing degree from Minnesota West Community and Technical College in Pipestone, Minnesota. She was appointed by Governor Tim Walz in 2020, and was reappointed in 2024, with a term expiration date of January 3, 2028.
Latasha Lee, MSN, RN, PHN
Registered Nurse Board Member
Latasha Lee, of Minneapolis, is currently a registered nurse at a local pediatric hospital and she is also a community faculty member at a local university. She has experience in adult nursing in medical-surgical, orthopedics, oncology, neurology, geriatric, and public health. Her pediatric experiences include medical-surgical, school nursing, residential care for abused and neglected boys, oncology, and hematology. Ms. Lee has an Associate in Science from Richland Community College in Decatur, Illinois, a Bachelor's degree from Millikin University in Decatur, Illinois, and a Master's degree from Walden University. She is dedicated to making a difference in her community. She is a member of Black Nurses Rock Twin Cities chapter, NAACP Behavior and Wellness committee, and Northside Fresh Coalition. She was appointed by Governor Tim Walz in 2020, and was reappointed in 2024, with a term expiration date of January 3, 2028.
Katherine Lynch, LPN
Licensed Practical Nurse Board Member
Katherine (Kate) Lynch, of Roseville, is an LPN at a clinic in the Twin Cities, where she has worked for 32 years. She has spent the majority of her career working in pediatric and family medicine. Kate graduated from St. Paul College in 1987 with a Practical Nursing degree. Ms. Lynch was appointed by Governor Walz in 2021 and her term expires in 2025.
Joseph Owen, PMHNP, APRN, CNP
Registered Nurse Board Member
Joseph Owen, of Litchfield, is a psychiatric nurse practitioner for the State of Minnesota. Mr. Owen received his associate degree in professional nursing from Ridgewater College in Hutchinson, MN, his bachelor's degree from Minnesota State University Moorhead, and his master's degree from Walden University. Joseph was appointed by Governor Walz on March 8, 2023, and was reappointed in 2024, with a term expiration date of January 3, 2028.
Cynthia Petty, RN, BSN
Registered Nurse Board Member
Cynthia Petty, of Hugo, is an Assistant Director of Health and Wellness in an assisted living facility. Her nursing background includes working as an RN for 35 years at a Twin Cities hospital in med-surg, postpartum and the newborn nursery. She earned an associate degree from St. Mary's Junior College and a baccalaureate degree from Bethel University. She performs public service as a planning commissioner for Hugo, a director at a food shelf, and a secretary for an additional non-profit organization. Cynthia was appointed by Governor Walz on January 17, 2024. Her term will expire January 4, 2027.
Tracy Sonterre-Rieger, RN, MSN-Ed, CNE, CNE-cl
Registered Nurse Board Member
Tracy Sonterre-Rieger, is a faculty member at a community college in Minnesota, where she is a nursing instructor of the RN, LPN-RN, and PN programs. She has more than 10 years experience working as a registered nurse, and currently works at a hospital in northern Minnesota. She earned a Master of Science in Nursing Education from Capella University, an Associate of Science in Nursing from Anoka-Ramsey Community College, and a Bachelor of Science in Art Education. Ms. Sonterre-Rieger was appointed as a registered nurse board member on September 20, 2023. Her term will expire on January 4, 2027.
Patrick Simon Soria, DNP, MAN, MHA(c), RN
Registered Nurse Board Member
Patrick Simon Soria is currently working as a registered nurse at a Twin Cities Hospital and has over 19 years of nursing experience. His educational background includes a Doctor of Nursing Practice from Regis University, a Master of Arts in Nursing from Philippine Women's University, and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Ateneo de Davao University. He is working toward a Master's in Healthcare Administration at the University of Minnesota. He is the President-elect of the Philippine Nurses Association of Central Minnesota and represents the Asian American and Pacific Islander communities at the Minnesota Equitable Healthcare Taskforce. Governor Walz appointed Mr. Soria on July 17, 2024, and his term expires on January 6, 2025.
Maria Tran
Public Board Member
Maria Tran, of Brooklyn Center, works as a medical, education, legal and social services Vietnamese interpreter and volunteers by helping senior Vietnamese with language barriers. Maria is involved in her community as a human rights activist and serves on the Brooklyn Park City Council. She earned a two-year degree from North Hennepin Community College. Maria was appointed as a public member by Governor Walz on March 14, 2023. Her term will expire on January 4, 2027.
